The Best Spa Hotels in Guatemala

On the outskirts of Santa Cruz La Laguna, you’ll arrive at the Laguna Lodge – by boat. Relaxation is a number one priority at this eco-resort on the north shore of Lake Atitlán. Hear the waves lapping while you take a private yoga or pilates lesson in the palm-thatched pavilion. Jump into other activities head first, with kayaking, swimming and even scuba diving on offer. Alternatively, sneak off to the resort’s hidden mountain trails.

Just down the road from Lake Petén Itzá, you’ll find the 300-acre (120ha) nature reserve of Las Lagunas. These quiet suites are situated on the edge of Quexil Lagoon, ideal for honeymooners looking for rural seclusion. Listen to the birds call and trees rustle as you relax into a traditional Mayan hot stone massage. Trek to the Tikal ruins before finishing the day with a five-course candlelit dinner overlooking the water.

Arrive in style at the Bolontiku Boutique Hotel – zipping right across Lake Petén Itzá on a boat – or helicopter. Book the Mirador Suite for panoramic water views. Heat things up by heading into the spa’s temazcal, a pre-Hispanic-style sweat lodge, or cool off with a dip in the hotel’s perfectly round outdoor pool. Massage and facial treatments can be organised in your own room.

This hotel in old town Antigua is the complete package. Once a 17th-century convent, it is now a modern hotel, spa and museum. You’ll be conveniently located just blocks away from Antigua’s main square and sights like the Catedral San José, while still close enough to retire back to the hotel for a unique spa treatment. Try the cacao back rub, volcanic stone aromatherapy massage or wood-stick tapping massage.

Casa Prana Hotel also sits just outside of Santa Cruz La Laguna on Lake Atitlán. Stroll through the nine acres (4ha) of gardens, or try one of the many on-site therapies – including private yoga sessions, an outdoor kinesthetic workout or a signature massage using local oils. If you can, upgrade to the Luxury Suite with its freestanding bathtub offering sensational lake views. There’s also a tranquil saltwater pool where you can cool off in the afternoon.

Porta Hotel is a colonial-style build, filled with wrought-iron chandeliers, wood-beam ceilings and tall fireplaces. It’s located in Antigua’s historic downtown, just three blocks from the main square. No judgment though if you just want to check out the hotel’s Ceiba Spa. Don’t miss the two-hour Tree of Life energy ritual, which includes a footbath, exfoliation and full-body massage featuring elements of Mayan sacred numerology.

Escape the hustle of Guatemala City’s business district inside the Real InterContinental. In between sightseeing and shopping, you can drop by the spa for a reflexology treatment, hydrotherapy or steam bath. There’s also a hotel gym for fitness buffs to work off last night’s wood-fired pizza from the on-site restaurant. Once you’re ready to call it a day, head up to your room with its blackout curtains and soundproof windows for a good night’s sleep.

You’ll be on top of the world – or at least, on top of Guatemala City – at Grand Tikal Futura Hotel, a high-rise hotel in the Zona 11 neighborhood. Whether you spend the day exploring downtown or just exploring downstairs – the hotel sits atop the massive Tikal Futura Mall – you’ll want to make time for a trip to the spa. Amenities include wet and dry saunas, a massage cabin, a squash court and a solarium.

The small town of Panajachel on Lake Atitlán has a reputation as a low-key backpacker’s paradise. But that’s not the case at the Regis, a boutique hotel with private bungalows and a cozy Guatemalan restaurant. A real highlight is the hotel’s outdoor spa, hidden away in the tropical garden. It offers a temazcal sweat lodge, natural hot springs jacuzzi and a variety of massages, facials and hydrotherapy treatments.